Self-leveling cot and the like for ships.



A. L. WERTHEIM.

SELF LEVELING 001" AND THE LIKE FOR SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14,.1908.

Patented Aug. 16,1910.

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A. L. WERTHEIM. SELF LBVELING cow AND THE LIKE FOB sHIPs.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 14, 1908. 967,278

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THE NORRIS PETERS 5a., WASHINGTON, n. c.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

A. L. WERTHEIM.

SELF LEVELING GOT AND THE LIKE FOB SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14 1908. 967,278. Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

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A. L. WBRTHEIM. SELF LEVELING GOT AND THE LIKE POE SHIPS.

APPLIUA'IION TILED AUG. 14, 1908.

Patented Aug. 16,1910.

w D v THE. NORRIS PETERS co., wasunvoruu, n, c,

A. L.. WERTHEIM. SELF LEVELING GOT AND THE LIKE FOR SHIPS.

Patented Aug. 16,1910.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 14, 1908. 967,278.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

' Mia/V4 1m; NORRIS PETERS cm. WASHINGTON, n. :4

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANNE L6WENSTEIN WER'IHEIM, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

SELF-LEVELING COT AND THE LIKE FOR SHIPS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANNE LowENsTEIN WVERTHEIM, of 8 Upper Belgravestreet, London, England, a princess of the German Empire, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Self-Leveling Cots and the Like forShips; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, andexact description of the same, reference being made to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to improvements in self-leveling cots, bunks,couches, deck chairs and the like for use on shipboard, the object beingto provide means whereby they may always be retained in a more or lesshorizontal position so that the efiect of the rolling of. the ship isovercome and seasickness prevented.

It is well known that a gyroscope, when rotating offers considerableresistance to any attempt to alter the plane of rotation and I proposeto utilize oneor more gyroscopes in connection with cots, bunks, and thelike in the manner hereinafter set forth, for main taining them in alevel position.

According to this invention I provide a cot of suitable dimensions andcharacter which may be suspended in bearing carried by springs with orwithout a gyroscope. The side one of the said springs may be carried bya frame in which is free to rotate a gyroscope the frame being suspendedin gimbal frames, the outer one of which is arranged to swing inbearings suitably supported.

The gyroscope is rotated by any suitable means, a convenient arrangementbeing to provide magnets, on the frame between which runs an armatureformed with or attached to the spinning axle of the gyroscope, the motorthus constituted being c011- nected with a suitable source ofelectricity so that it can be switched on or off as may be required.

As a modification the gyroscope may be boxed in so as to form with thecot, bunk, or like a self contained combination and they may besupported in gimbals as in the arrangement already mentioned. A furthermodification consists in suspending the gyroscope in a frame carryingthe cot or like in which case the cot or like may be suspended ingimbals. In some cases the gyroscope chamber may be formed to float inwater or other fluid contained in a suitable receptacle,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. August 14, 1908.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910. Serial No. 448,603.

provision being made by overturning the top of the container or by othermeans to prevent the fluid from being thrown out, and anti-frictionrollers or the like may be provided where necessary.

Bolts, catches or other suitable means may be provided for keeping thecot or bunk rigid when it is not necessary to provide against the motionof the vessel, the gyroscope being only brought into use as and whenrequired to counteract the rolling and pitching. Springs may be usedwherever needed to prevent any too abrupt movement of any part. Ifdesired the cot or bunk may be surrounded by curtains or otherwise so asto move with the cot and thus prevent the occupant seeing the movementof the vessel.

This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1, is a side elevation partially in sectionshowing one arrangement as applied to a cot or bunk 011 ship board. Fig.2, shows a second position of the same. Fig. 3, is a sectional plan ofthe gyroscope arrangement. Fig. 4, is a cross section showing a springsupported device. Figs. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sections in twopositions showing the water supported arrangement of the gyroscopechamber. Fig. 7, is a plan of the device shown in Fig. 5 with the vesselomitted. Fig. 8, is a cross section of the device shown in Fig. 5. Fig.9 shows a side elevation of a cot or bunk wherein three gyroscopes areemployed, and Fig. 10, is a plan thereof.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4: the gyroscope a is mounted in gimbal frames 6supported by side pillars or posts 0 and upon and above the gimbalframes carrying the gyroscope the cot or bunk d is mounted. In somecases, if necessary, the outer gimbal frame may be mounted .andsupported upon upper and lower spiral springs c (Fig. 4) whereby therising and falling motion of the ship is counteracted, while the balanceweight is further provided as shown in the drawings.

As shown in Figs. 5 to 8 the cot or bunk is mounted upon the floatingcradle h carried within a tank or receptacle '5 having over-turned upperedges j to prevent the water escaping while the cradle 71. contains thegyroscope 70 as shown.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the gimbal frames Z arepivotally supported by the transverse rods 9% connecting the uprights n,the pivotal connections 0 carrying bufier springs 79 to absorb any sideshock, whilein this arrangement the cot or bunk is furnished with threegyroscopes two arranged in a horizontal position as at g and one in avertical position as at r. Catches 8 connected by a rod t may beprovided which, when turned into the position shown in Fig. 10, engageone of the t-ransverse members or side rails m for supporting the cot orbunk when the gyroscopes are not rotating. 7

I do not restrict myself to the number of gyroscopes which may beemployed, nor do I restrict myself to the particular angle or angles atwhich they are arranged. Fur thermore, in some cases, the cot or bunkmay be entirely spring supported in any convenient and suitable mannerand would of course be provided with one or more gyroscopes ashereinafter described.

What I claim as my invention and desire to receive by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a ships bunk of gimbal frames secured to theunderside thereof, a gyroscope mounted in said frames, a balance weightconnected to one of said frames and means for operating the gyroscope,substantially as described.

2. The combination with a ships bunk, of gimbal frames secured to theunderside thereof, spring supporting devices for said gimbal frames, agyroscope mounted in said frames and means for operating the gyroscopes,substantially as described.

3. The combination with a ships bunk, of gimbal frames secured to theunderside thereof, a gyroscope mounted in said frames, yielding supportsfor the frames and means for operating the gyroscope, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANNE LGWENsTEIN WERTHEIM.

Witnesses:

GEORGE HUGHES, F. H. MAYES.

